Former Harris County Financial Director Pleads Guilty in Plea Agreement

Houston, TxFormer Harris County Financial Services Director Edwin Charles Harrison, 55, pleaded guilty today to two first degree felony charges of False Statements to Obtain Credit and an additional felony charge of Tampering with a Governmental Record. Judge Herb Ritchie of the 337th District Court placed him on five years deferred adjudication probation and ordered him to pay a $2500 fine.

Harrison was charged in September of last year after an intensive investigation revealed unlawful conduct in his personal financial transactions. To obtain a mortgage loan, he signed documents that falsely stated that certain of his holdings were free from liens, when in fact; the properties were subject to deeds of trust. Harrison also admitted to lying on a county financial disclosure statement about his ownership interest in a bonding company. None of the criminal charges were related to Harrison's official duties.

Bill Moore, Chief of the Harris County District Attorney's Office Public
Integrity Division, stated that the plea agreements were carefully
constructed to ensure that Harrison would not be in a position to defraud anyone. "Mr. Harrison took advantage of his reputation and position as a financial services director to convince others that he was financially solvent and savvy. During the next five years, he will be closely supervised and monitored to protect those who may have been duped by his financial schemes."

Harrison's wife also pleaded guilty to fraud and perjury charges Wednesday and was sentenced similarly. Linda Sue Harrison, 55, will also be on felony probation for her part in the fraudulent activity. (END)